Google Play Store is testing a "Try before you buy" feature for premium games. This feature will allow users to play the full game for a set duration at no cost before committing to a purchase.
Google has removed the option for Android users to uninstall updates for system apps directly through the Play Store. Users can no longer click an uninstall button within app listings, and only an open button is available. This change affects devices running Play Store versions from 49.1.32-31 to 49.2.25-31, including system apps that do not appear in the app drawer, such as Android Auto and Pixel Camera Services. Users must now access app settings through the device's main settings menu to uninstall updates, which complicates app management. This change follows Google's recent enhancements allowing remote uninstallation of apps from multiple devices, raising questions about the rationale behind the removal of the uninstall option for system app updates.
Google has removed the "Uninstall updates" button from the Play Store interface for core system apps, requiring users to navigate through the Settings app to roll back updates. This change affects several key system applications, including Android Auto, Android System WebView, and Pixel Camera Services. Users can now only find an "Open" button in the Play Store for these apps. To uninstall updates, users must long-press the app icon, select "App info," tap the three-dot menu, and choose "Uninstall updates." This alteration adds complexity to the process of reverting to earlier app versions.
A new malware-as-a-service (MaaS) called Albiriox has emerged, targeting banking and cryptocurrency applications, particularly focusing on Austrian users. It is marketed on the dark web and employs deceptive tactics, such as mimicking legitimate businesses and creating fake landing pages and app listings on the Google Play Store. Victims are tricked into providing their phone numbers, leading to the delivery of a malicious APK file via SMS or WhatsApp. This APK acts as a dropper, designed to bypass detection methods and requests permissions under the guise of a “software update” to download the actual malicious payload. Once installed, it can take control of the device or function as an infostealer, extracting sensitive information like phone numbers and passwords, which is sent to a Telegram channel. Cleafy researchers suggest that the Albiriox campaign is linked to Russian cyber actors based on their activities on cybercrime forums and communication style.
Google is updating its Play Store to improve smartphone battery efficiency by addressing apps that prevent devices from entering Sleep mode. This initiative, developed with Samsung, targets "excessive partial wake locks," which keep the CPU active in the background. Apps will be flagged if their user sessions exceed 5% of excessive wake locks over a 28-day period. Starting March 1, 2026, apps maintaining a non-exempt wake lock for over two hours in 24 hours will face penalties, including potential removal from recommendation lists and warning badges on their listings. Google aims to help users identify apps that may cause battery drain. A beta rollout began in April 2025, and Google has provided tools for developers to monitor wake lock usage and battery consumption.
In 2025, there is a notable decline in the availability of truly free smartphone applications, as many users are shifting towards privacy-focused, open-source, or self-hosted options. The monetization strategies of developers have led to free apps becoming nearly unusable without paid subscriptions, creating a situation where users feel misled by the marketing of these apps. Historically, free apps primarily relied on advertisements, but now many have stripped their free tiers to the point where users must pay to regain access to functionalities that were once available for free. This trend has caused frustration among users, particularly in regions with weaker currencies, where subscription costs can be prohibitive. Popular applications like Duolingo, CapCut, and Evernote have progressively restricted their free offerings, pushing users towards premium tiers. While there is an understanding of the need for monetization, misleading advertising and a decline in user experience are major concerns. Some apps have successfully balanced monetization with user satisfaction by offering functional free versions alongside premium features, and regional pricing can make subscriptions more accessible. Developers are encouraged to maintain transparency in their marketing practices to avoid user confusion.
Google Play Store has updated its app listings to include a carousel of chips for XR headsets, allowing users to see information specific to those devices. Additionally, there is now a dedicated section for XR headsets in the Games and Apps tabs, making it easier to discover XR-friendly apps for Android XR devices.
Google will introduce a proactive alert system for Android by March 2026 to identify battery-draining applications. This system will flag apps that maintain more than two hours of non-exempt wake locks within a 24-hour period across at least 5 percent of user sessions over 28 days. Users will receive warnings about problematic apps, which will also display red battery alerts in the Google Play Store. Developers of poorly optimized apps may face reduced visibility in the Play Store. Google collaborated with Samsung to enhance the system's accuracy, ensuring legitimate background processes are not flagged. This initiative aims to empower users and encourage developers to optimize their applications for better battery performance.
The Google Play Store update to version 48.8 introduces a new "Uninstall" button on individual app listings, allowing Android users to remotely uninstall applications from secondary devices linked to the same Google account. This feature simplifies app management for users with multiple devices and complements the existing method of uninstalling apps through the "Manage apps & devices" section. The update aims to enhance user convenience and improve the overall app management experience.
Security researchers from ESET discovered that 12 malicious Android chat applications, including Privee Talk, MeetMe, Let’s Chat, Quick Chat, Rafaqat رفاق, and Chit Chat, were found to covertly harvest users’ messages and deploy a remote access trojan called VajraSpy. Six of these apps were available on Google Play before being flagged for suspicious activity, resulting in approximately 1,400 downloads, primarily targeting users in India and Pakistan. The spyware could extract messages from encrypted chat platforms, record ambient sounds in real time, and intercept communications on apps like WhatsApp and Signal. The operators used honey-trap tactics to entice users into installing the apps, which requested permissions typical of espionage tools, such as RECORD_AUDIO and access to notifications and accessibility services. Users are advised to uninstall these apps and review permissions to protect against potential threats.
